Jay-Z Backs Obama: Gay Marriage Endorsement ‘Right Thing To Do’

Rapper Jay-Zsat down with CNN’s Poppy Harlow on Monday to talk politics. Chiming in on President Barack Obama‘s voicing support of same-sex marriage, Jay-Z echoed the president’s sentiment, saying it’s “the right thing to do.” Regardless of how it affects votes come September, he said, it’s the right decision.

“I’ve always thought it as something that was still, um, holding the country back,” Jay-Z said, commenting on same-sex couples being unable to get married. “What people do in their own homes is their business and you can choose to love whoever you love. That’s their business.” [It] is no different than discriminating against blacks. It’s discrimination plain and simple.”

He further added that it’s “no different than discriminating against blacks. It’s discrimination plain and simple.” Asked about the political implications of the president’s announcement — and talk that it would cost him African-American votes — Jay-Z dismissed the electoral aspect of the issue. It’s the “right thing” to do, he said. “It’s really not about votes, it’s about people.”

In terms of Obama’s Republican opponent, Jay-Z admitted to not knowing much about about Mitt Romney, adding that he did not “want to talk about the man.”